Hi all - After seeing this in person at FLIBS 2016 I still am not sure of why it is done and it is bugging me. Does anyone have an explanation why some of the newer designs from the Ferretti group have the foremost bow section in a separate piece? Examples below Ferretti 850 Riva Florida 88 There appears to be sealant in the join, with some attempt to colour match. Why it is not faired in and made invisible is part of the puzzle. My thoughts are along the lines of the design aiding infusion of the hull (no point to fill) while at the same time creating an integrated crash bulkhead. I will be interested to hear what others think.
I think Ferretti know their market well. Ever seen the standard of parking in a tight-packed Med marina in summer? The crashing and banging is unbelievable, all with a latin flavour of arm-waving and shouting. I like to think of those bows like a NY cab driver thought his fender was a disposable item!
I have heard that there was an issue with ferretti in the past with the structural integrity of there bows. As far as my understanding this feature stems from that to correct this. I have seen it on other manufactures such as on the larger azimuts as well.
Cheaper to ship on Dock Wise when you can remove the bow for less LOA... or, it'll fit in the boathouse easier with the pointy end removed.
All kidding aside , perhaps this design has something to do with RINA tonnage certificates or gaming the system for coming in at a more advantageous net vs gross for registry savings? Structurally it doesn't make sense strength wise in FRP.
Are there different bow options with the same hull tooling? Or getting ready for different bow options and the original hull is ready? Pull pit vs blunt bow? Dual anchors? Fountain pointy bow option?(3 feet more LOA) Or is it really an FRP bow section. With all that fancy hardware for the anchor system, is it a welded windlass system? AND future bolt on anchor options?
So this turns out to be a situation for the 24 meter cut off measurement for pleasure vs commercial registration per MGN-280 MCA code. You can have an Azimut or similar vessel of 26 meters or so but with a removable bow section it will fall below the 24 meter length measurement on the vessels certificate of measurement thus reducing the manning requirements and other regulations. I believe that Foster Marine, Ft. Lauderdale has a video on their site showing a vessel in the yard with the bow cap off and the exposed two internal flanges to be bolted together in the bow section..
I thought the 24m rule was measured at the waterline? I've boarded several 86-92' boats that are documented at or under 24m
Thanks very much for the replies and I am glad there was some conjecture on why it was done. Interesting that it is to keep the vessel under 24m for Pleasure Craft Rules. I never thought of that as a reason, but don't have much to do with this scale of vessel.
It is not exactly waterline length. It is in some legislation on hull length, or from rudder to tip of the bow minus something, that is why they make it removable. I am surprised in this case that they are made on Ferretti 870 or a Riva 88 because, Ferretti produces the 960 which can be registered as a pleasure yacht (hull length of 23.9).
I came across a relevant photo to go with this thread . Enjoy and scratch your head at the same time as to the lengths builders will go to sell units or game the system. The same can be said for the 500 ton rule but just not that aggressively ugly nor drastic as this abomination.
The victim in the photo appears to be a Benetti Delfino model @ 93 ft. or 28 meters but "snub nose" it has a certificate admeasure below 24 meters for recreational registration vs commercial and all of the cumbersome & costly items that go with that designation.
Well once you jump past 24m, often the enigneer that has the right ticket may be making more than his boss the captain. And again is you never charter, none of this matters.
Nothing ridiculous, if an owner wants to save money he has the option. It is not really affecting the boat and its seaworthiness. I have seen much worse things done to make a hull perform decently. Technically speaking the Delfino above is not offered on brochure as 23.9 meters but I am sure it is a sales pitch used by the salesman to entice buyers.